Ricoh has released the latest camera in its GR range of high-end compact cameras, the Ricoh GR III. For good reason, the GR range has long had a cult following going back to its film versions.
Overall, the GR III is a bigger upgrade over the GR II than the GR II was over the GR. It’s slightly smaller, has better image quality and expanded capabilities, and has simplified controls with the addition of a touch screen. But it still stays true to most of the things about the GR range that have made it such a popular choice for street photographers and as incognito cameras for travel photographers.
I’ve been shooting with it since was released, and I’ve been very impressed in most respects. In one important aspect, however, it has fallen short–focusing in low light. Ricoh has recently issued a firmware update to address that, and so far it’s working better for me. So if you’re still using the original firmware, make sure to update to at least V1.10 (you can find it here.
I’m posting these here in case they’re useful to anyone wanting to get a look at some high-resolution photos that have been taken with the GR III under real-world shooting conditions. I’ve tried to include a range of different types of scenes, with different exposure settings, and with an emphasis on challenging lighting conditions. This is a camera I expect to be shooting with a lot, so I’ll try to add some more shots from time to time.
I’ve previously posted a set of sample images focusing specifically on the GR III’s high ISO settings. You can find them here. And you can see some sample images from the GR II here.
Ricoh GR III Photos
All of these were originally shot in RAW and have been only lightly processed in Lightroom. I haven’t applied any of the optical corrections such as chromatic aberration, vignetting, or barrel distortion.
You can click on each image to open a full-size version for a closer look, and I’ve included the exposure information in the caption below each photo.
Where to Find the Ricoh GR III
You can find the Ricoh GR III at B&H Photo and Amazon.
Ricoh GR III Accessories & Replacement Parts
Here are the model numbers of some of the core accessories and replacement parts for the Ricoh GR III.
Ring Cap
- Ring Cap: GN-1
The ring cap is the small plastic ring that attaches around the lens. Chances are, it’s fallen off. While you do have to remove it to attach the lens adapter, it’s a poor design that tends to fall off and get lost far too often. I’ve lost a couple of them now.
The camera will work just fine without it. But that will leave some contacts exposed around the lens barrel, which isn’t ideal.
The official replacement part is overpriced. But you can also pick up much less expensive aftermarket versions. They’re also available in different colors, so you can bling up your camera with a personal touch—or make it look like the Street Edition.
USB Cable
The GR III has a USB Type-C connector port. When you get a cable, you can get them with another USB Type-C connector on the other end or a more traditional USB Type-A connector. Which you choose depends entirely on what you’re plugging into. For example, some newer laptops only have USB-C, while most other computers have USB-A.
Battery & Charger
- Battery: DB-110
It’s a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at 3.6V 1350mAh 4.9Wh.
There are some other cameras that also use the same battery—notably, some Olympus cameras (the Olympus model number for the same battery is LI-90B). So they’re quite widely available. You can get the official Ricoh version. There are also aftermarket versions that can be much better value but work just as well.
- Charger: BJ-11
You can charge the battery in the camera (using a USB-C cable). There are also external battery chargers available. They’re especially useful if you’re using spare batteries, so you can charge and shoot simultaneously.
- AC Adapter: K-AC166
This is used to power the camera for longer shoots, such as time-lapse, or if you happen to be using the camera for live streaming as a webcam. It connects via the camera’s USB-C port.
Wide-Angle Conversion Lens
Ricoh has produced a wide-angle conversion lens that takes the standard 28mm view down to a 21mm (in 35mm equivalent). While it does add some extra bulk to an otherwise small camera, it works well and adds a more dramatic, wider view. I have an in-depth review of it separately.
Something to be aware of, though, is that you will also need to pick up the lens adapter separately. For reasons I really don’t understand, the wide-angle conversion lens doesn’t come with the adapter, and both are required to make it work. So make sure you pick up one of those at the same time.
Remote Shutter Releases
- Wired Shutter Release: CA-3
This is the official Ricoh remote shutter. It connects to the camera via a USB cable, and it’s a simple shutter release (i.e., there’s no timer or intervalometer).
You can also find aftermarket shutter releases for the GR III.
External Viewfinders
- Standard External Viewfinder: GV-1
- Mini External Viewfinder: GB-2
The Ricoh GR III doesn’t have a built-in viewfinder. But they make two versions of an external viewfinder that slides into the camera’s hot shoe. It covers both the standard 28mm view as well as the 21mm view if you’re using the wide-angle conversion lens. There’s also a mini viewfinder; that model seems to be hard to find.
Screen Protector
The back screen of the GR III is quite exposed, and if you lie the camera on its back, the screen comes in contact with the surface. Even if you’re putting the camera in your pocket, there’s a risk of keys or coins scratching the screen.
There’s no official screen protector, but there are good aftermarket versions. The one I use is this one. It’s essentially a consumable that protects the screen. If you scratch the protector, you can quickly and easily replace it with another from the pack.
Carrying
- Soft Case: GC-9
You can, of course, use the GR III with just about any camera case or bag. But Ricoh does make a dedicated soft-case that fits snugly around the camera and offers some protection even if you’re toting the camera around in your pocket. I’ve been using one for a couple of years, and it’s held up very well, and it keeps my camera safer from bumps and scratches.
- Neck Strap: GS-3
Again, there’s no particular reason you have to use the official GR neck strap, but there is one. The main part is leather, and it even has a discreet, embossed “GR”.
If you do use a different strap, be aware that the strap loops on the camera are very small and won’t take thicker (i.e., stronger) attachment loops. So you might need to use some D-rings as well.
- Hand Strap: GS-2
There’s even an official “GR” leather hand strap! But, again, aside from the branding, there’s no special reason to use the official strap. If you do use a different one, you might need D-rings if the thread doesn’t go through the camera’s small attachment loops.
External Flash
The GR III doesn’t have a built-in flash. It supports the Pentax P-TTL flash protocol.
Pentax External Flashes: